SA Corrections April08.pdf - Department of Correctional Services

More documents

Recommendations

Info

M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Death grant for officials softens the blow for families By Sentebaleng Shiko The department has introduced a new grant for correctional officials who die in the line of duty. The amount that will be received by the official’s family is R200 000 and is active as of 1 April this year. The department, however, acknowledges that the money will not replace life but through the introduction of this grant it hopes to alleviate bereaved families’ financial constraints. The department also acknowledges that the introduction of this grant does not mean that its obligation of ensuring a healthy and safe working environment should be neglected. The grant was introduced in the spirit of Ubuntu shown by the department to the dependants of its officials where unforeseen circumstances beyond the department’s control lead to the death of officials while on duty, said Deputy Director Calling on the youth National Youth Day, 16 June 2008, marks the 32nd anniversary of the Soweto Uprising of 1976 and 14 years of democracy. • Each year, on 16 June, South Africa commemorates the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising and connected uprisings, thereby recalling the sacrifices the youth made in the struggle for freedom. • We celebrate the role our youth play in the development of the country, in contributing to the reconstruction and development of communities. • Many of the youth of 1976 have become successful professionals who have seized the opportunities and are now role models in government, business and industry. This year, Youth Month is being celebrated primarily against the backdrop of the recent attacks on foreign nationals Retention and Termination, Mr Johannes Ndala. He also said an investigation will be conducted to find out the real cause of death before the grant will be paid out. When the death of an official is reported, the death grant committee, which consists of six officials appointed by the National Commissioner will determine the cause of death in order to approve or disapprove an application. The investigation will include getting the beneficiaries’ names and upon completion of the investigation, findings will be presented before the committee by the investigating officer. The grant application will be Young people commemorating Youth Day that live in our country. • Government calls on the youth to actively oppose the recent intensified spates of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, expressed through acts of intense violence and 8 SA Corrections Today approved by the National Commissioner. If approved, the grant will be payable. Only legal beneficiaries of the deceased are allowed to claim the grant. Although the grant was originally intended for officials who work directly with offenders, officials rendering administrative duties will also qualify should their death be a result of violence or accidents that took place in the course of their duties, said Mr Ndala. The following documentation will be re- quired for applications to be processed: • • • • • • • • • • • • Death certificate Medical reports if official was admitted at the hospital prior to his/her death Identity document of the official Marriage certificate Birth certificate of dependants Identity document of the spouse if he/ she was married Persal confirmation report The department’s investigation report The police’s investigation report and case number The supervisor’s report Grant application report • • The grant will not be payable if an official died under the following circumstances: • The official committed suicide or dies as a result of engagement in corruption e.g. aiding an escape. • The official’s death was the result of his/ her own gross negligence. • The official died in a car accident and upon investigation it was found that the accident was due to the official’s own negligence e.g. driving under the influence of alcohol. inhumanity. These acts are a threat to our historical achievements as a nation. We cannot forget the hospitality that was given to South Africans, especially to young people who were in exile in neighbouring countries during the days of apartheid Government calls on all youth organisations to ensure that all people in South Africa, including foreign nationals, are protected from violence and are encouraged to actively oppose any violence and to report any such acts to relevant authorities. The youth are encouraged to use every opportunity to educate South Africans about the need to co-exist with foreign nationals. This includes improving refugees’ access to fundamental rights, enhancing refugees’ means of self- reliance and expanding opportunities for durable solutions.
The aim was to address mutual concerns between management and parole boards, orientate the parole boards on combating fraud and corruption and to raise awareness of the different incidences and forms of corrupt practices, especially pertaining to the work of parole boards. Chief Deputy Commissioner Corrections, Mr Teboho Motseki opened the session and said parole board members M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Parole Board work session addresses corruption By Dimakatso Mokwena The department held a two-day workshop for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSBP) from all the management areas towards the end of March in Kempton Park, Gauteng. Parole Board chairpersons and vicechairpersons had time to informally chat about the issues addressed during the work session. Parole Boards get high-level support By Piet de Bruin Minister Balfour officially opened the new offices of the Parole Board at Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape on 7 April. This preceded an Imbizo in the community of Kirkwood, which was attended by the Regional Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, the mayor of the Sundays River Valley and representatives of other departments, local government and NGOs. All the Parole Board members in the Eastern Cape were also present. Although there are a number of new parole board offices countrywide, this was the first in the country to be officially opened by the Minister. The new offices have been designed to support an image of professionalism, which are expected from the new community-based parole boards. Minister Balfour emphasised that offenders are considered for parole based on a number should avoid being enticed to commit corruption by being firm on correctional officials who may joke about wanting to receive a ‘favour’. He said corruption may start as a joke or a ‘favour’ but it has severe consequences. He added that one’s willingness to engage in corruption defines one’s character. Mr Motseki also spoke about the importance of consistency in decision making, referring to instances in which parole boards granted parole, only to have the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board (Review Board) overturning the decisions taken by the CSPB. Mr Motseki also referred to known situations whereby corrupt officials transfer an offender after an unsuccessful parole application to another correctional centre with the aim that the offender might be granted parole there. Representing the Departmental Investigation Unit, Pieter Killian spoke about the department’s code of conduct and principles of fraud and corruption. He said fraud is when you change something for your own benefit and corruption is paying Minister Balfour unveils the plaque. of factors. Even though accomplices in a crime might think that they should all be released at the same time, the different roles each individual played in the crime, personality factors and each offender’s response to APRIL/MAY 2008 someone to do you a ‘favour’. He also referred to cases in which a parole board granted parole, only to have the Review Board revoke the decision, raises a lot of questions. National chairperson of the Review Board and chairperson of National Council of Correctional Services, Judge Seraj Desai addressed the concerns of the re- Deputy Commissioner of Social Reintegration, Ms Sharon Kunene bonded with work session attendants during coffee break. view board. He said the Review Board was particularly concerned about the quality of decision making and motivations given for decisions made by parole boards. During the session he handed over the judgements of the Review Board to all chairpersons of parole boards and requested them to take note of the reasons formulated and to ensure that they build on that for the future. Parole Boards were requested to respect each other’s decisions and not to bow to pressure from offenders to release them. the correctional environment and rehabilitation programmes will dictate their release date. He said the transfer of offenders should be screened carefully to prevent offenders from obtaining transfers in view of getting a parole date from another parole board. He also cautioned parole boards not to contradict each other’s decisions. After unveiling the plaque, the delegation moved to the rugby field for the Imbizo where the Minister also handed the keys of six newly acquired cars to the Chairpersons of the Parole Boards. The Regional Commissioner has acknowledged that Parole Boards are not always provided with sufficient transport to enable them to perform effectively and has acquired the vehicles specifically for the parole boards. The Minister also handed the keys of vehicles over to the Community Corrections offices in the region and reminded officials that it should go a long way in improving service delivery to the communities.
Page 1 and 2: i n s i d e Deputy Minister’s Bud
Page 3 and 4: Continued from front page Capacity
Page 5 and 6: M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Ministe
Page 7: M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Ministe
Page 11 and 12: R E H A B I L I TAT I O N Hip jazz
Page 13 and 14: S T R AT E G I C P R O J E C T S 7-
Page 15 and 16: Ex-offenders are doing it for thems
Page 17 and 18: Restorative Justice success By Debb
Page 19 and 20: Siyalingana, we are equal By Senteb
Page 21 and 22: T H E F O R U M • R E A B U A The
Page 23 and 24: Breyton Paulse (in the suit) and fa

SA Corrections April08.pdf - Department of Correctional Services

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?